The Helipad Exhibition Centre (HEC) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, is a major exhibition and convention center with extensive facilities. It is often referred to simply as the “Helipad Exhibition Centre” and is recognized as Gujarat’s largest.
Here are its key features and details:
Overall Campus & Capacity:
- Campus Area: Spreads over 45 acres.
- Total Exhibition Area: Over 100,000 sq. meters (100,000 sq. m. indoor and 25,000 sq. m. open spaces).
- Exhibition Halls: 13 state-of-the-art exhibition halls of 6 varying sizes, suitable for exhibitions, conferences, and private events.
- Parking: Ample car parking space for 2,500 to 10,000 cars (different sources mention varying capacities, likely due to different definitions of “parking space” or updates).
- Load Bearing Capacity: Most halls have a floor load-bearing capacity of 25 tons/sq. meter, making them suitable for displaying heavy machinery. One dome hall has a capacity of 750 kg.
- Eave and Ridge Heights: Hall eave heights range from 6 to 18 meters, and ridge heights from 9 to 24 meters, allowing for diverse setups, including double-storey booths.
Facilities & Amenities:
- Administration Building: A two-storied administration building with a reception, waiting area, lounges, washrooms, pantry, conference hall (100-125 persons), and meeting rooms (10-16 persons). This block can house a Media Lounge, Protocol/VVIP Lounge, Press Conference Room, and Control Room.
- Registration Counters: Permanent registration counters at every entrance, with adjacent space for temporary ones.
- Food & Beverage: Two permanent kitchen structures with ample open seating areas for food courts. Additionally, 6 other open areas for temporary food courts.
- Green Spaces: 25,000 sq. meters of lush green open spaces and ample greenery with over 500 trees planted for environmental conservation.
- Security & Safety: CCTV/PA systems in each hall, conveniently situated adjacent to a Fire Brigade Building, and large open areas for easy evacuation with multiple exits in each hall.
- Support Services (often provided by KDCL as event management):
- Booth Fabrication
- Electrical Support
- Air Conditioning solutions (ACs, coolers, industrial fans)
- Catering services for various needs and budgets
- Security Agency (guards, bouncers, armed guards)
- Flex Printing & Branding
- CCTV and P.A. Systems
Connectivity:
- Airport: Approximately 18 km from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Ahmedabad).
- Railway Stations: Around 3 km from Gandhinagar Railway Station and 26-28 km from Ahmedabad Railway Station.
- Road Network: Well-connected by Gandhinagar’s strong road network.
- Upcoming Connectivity: Near proposed Metro & BRTS Routes and 21 km from the proposed Bullet Train Station.
Purpose: The HEC was built to provide Gujarat with state-of-the-art infrastructure to host reputed international exhibitions, conferences, trade shows, global business summits, and large-scale private events. It was developed in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with the Government of Gujarat.
